ART & LIT
Richies Select Sale
If you've ever wanted to bust into the collecting scene, now's your chance - most of the pieces on the block will probably sell for less than $5,000. Thursday's Canadian Art auction promises works by Alex Colville and Molly Lamb Bobak at accessible prices. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. Free. Ritchies Auctioneers, 380 King St. E.
416-364-1864, ext. 230.
Monitors, Minotaurs and the Close-Up
Filmmaker and alum Atom Egoyan launches the U of T Arts Festival, the university's inaugural celebration of all things creative, with a talk on some of the ideas that inspired his films. He will even show clips from his upcoming Adoration. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Free, but tickets required. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W.
416-978-8849. http://www.uofttix.ca.
Bill Stapleton
Up until his death, this long-time Cabbagetown resident spent most of his time on the streets sketching streetcars, nightclubs and storefronts. Luckily, Stapleton donated his collection of charcoal, gouache and ink works from 1940 onward to the Cabbagetown Regent Park Community Museum before he died. Now, 80 of his paintings and drawings are on show in the east end to honour his life and work. Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m., until March 15. Free.
Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester St. 416-392-6794.
Thin Air
Forget 007. This video and photography exhibition by local artist Nina Levitt looks into the lives of lady spies who worked as British intelligence officers during the Second World War. One video, entitled Telegrams of Departure, is inspired by phrases from the diary of spy Hannah Senesh, and in part reads, "I am afraid of nothing." Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday noon to
4 p.m. Until April 20. Free.
Koffler Centre of the Arts,
4588 Bathurst St. 416-636-1880.
HOT NOTES
Canadian Music Week
More than 500 bands, 44 venues, four nights - the year's biggest new-music festival draws industry reps and fans from all over. Heavyweights like the New Pornographers and the Breeders share the spotlight with contenders for the Next Big Thing. Wednesday through March 8. Wristbands $35. Various locations.
905-858-4747. http://www.cmw.net.
Blue Rodeo
After two decades of recording and a recent flood of solo projects, the band is still going strong, touring in support of their 11th album, the Juno-nominated Small Miracles. This is the last show of their three-night stint at Massey Hall. Tonight, 7:30. $48.50 to $70.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. 416-870-8000.
Hawksley Workman
The prolific, eccentric singer-songwriter-producer, who just finished writing some songs with pal and Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard, recently released a new album, the rootsy Between the Beautifuls. Friday, 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 8, 7 p.m. $32.50
to $40. Danforth Music Hall
Theatre, 174 Danforth Ave.
416-870-8000.
http://www.ticketmaster.ca.Jason Collett
The singer-songwriter and erstwhile Broken Social Scene member plays songs from his new album, Here's to Being Here, a stripped-down, old-school guitar record that captures the spontaneous energy of his touring band, Paso
Mino. Thursday, 8:30 p.m. $15. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. 416-870-8000.
Film
Harun Farocki: Documentary Essay Films
Though Toronto's Goethe Institute - a German-language school and cultural institution with 144 chapters worldwide - closed its film theatre last year, it keeps the reels rolling with its off-site screenings. Here, see two shorts and one feature by Harun Farocki, a German director who is best known for his experimental documentaries about war. Monday and Tuesday, 7 p.m. $5. Camera Bar, 1028 Queen St. W. 416-504-0575. http://www.goethe.de.
BRAIN FOOD
Power Within for Women
This rah-rah motivational conference, aimed at female entrepreneurs and business executives, is a star-studded day with celebrity speakers such as TV actress Teri Hatcher, The Glass Castle author Jeannette Walls, supermodel Petra Nemcova and feminist leader Gloria Steinem. Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. $229. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W. 416-591-4000. http://www.powerwithin.com.
An Afternoon of Music
and Culture
Why were the three best violinists of the 20th century all Jewish? Historian Sander L. Gilman will explore questions of identity, integration and minorities in modern classical music. The Koffler Chamber Orchestra will also perform works by Jewish Canadian composers. Tomorrow, 2 p.m. $18 to $20. Temple Emanu-El, 120 Old Colony Rd., North York. 416-636-1880, ext. 222.
FAMILY
Maple Syrup Fest
'Tis the season for sugar bingeing, and Bronte Creek's month-long festivities start today. Take a tour of a century-old maple farm and learn how the sweet stuff is made, then load up on pancakes, bacon and sausages. Today, tomorrow and weekends through March 30, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free with $13 vehicle permit. Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr., Oakville. 905-827-6911. http://www.brontecreek.org.
Solar Observing
Gazing up at the moon to watch an eclipse is easy, but staring at the sun is a different story - until now. Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are hosting solar observing sessions, where participants will be provided with specially filtered telescopes and learn how to spot tiny details on the sun, like the rays or sunspots (which look like pimples). Telescopes provided. Today, 10 a.m. Free. Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd. 416-696-1000.
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
On stage
Dragons of Comedy
This weekly comedy night, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, is moving from Friday night to Tuesday. Co-hosted by up-and- comers Deborah Etta Robinson and Dawn Whitwell (notable for her slacker-stoner spiel), this week, five solo acts will take the grungy Kensington Market stage. One will be the grumpy Chris Locke, whose deadpan stand-up act often has him resembling Winnie the Pooh's donkey friend, Eeyore. Tuesday, 7 p.m. PWYC. Bread and Circus, 193½ Baldwin St. 416-336-3399.
SHOPPING
The Eco Wedding & Lifestyle Show
The average wedding generates a mountain of trash, but yours doesn't have to, thanks to the environmentally friendly solutions from exhibitors at this show. From buying carbon offsets to making your own invitations, learn how to have a green wedding. Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. $10.90 to $15. Design Exchange, 234 Bay St. 416-827-6510. http://www.ecoweddingshow.com.
International Home and Garden Show
Spring is almost here, which means you might have the urge to dust off that long-delayed project around the house. Whether it's a bathroom reno, a new flowerbed or a decorating overhaul, you'll find no shortage of tips and inspiration from vendors and experts. Thursday through March 9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. $10 to $12. International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd. 416-512-1305. http://www.home-show.net.
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